After helping the Texans make one of the most remarkable defensive turnarounds in NFL history, Wade Phillips is getting another chance to become a head coach.

Phillips will interview with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday in Houston.

The defensive game plan for Sunday’s divisional playoff game at Baltimore will have been installed before he meets with members of the Glazer family, which owns the Bucs, as well as general manager Mark Dominik.

“I’m gratified somebody noticed,” Phillips said Sunday about his 83-64 record as a head coach. “We’ll talk and see how much interest (Tampa Bay) has in me.”

The Texans are coming off a 31-10 wild-card victory over Cincinnati in which Phillips’ defense intercepted three passes and totaled four sacks.

“I’m torn,” he said. “I don’t want to leave Houston. I love it here, but I’d like to get a chance to be a head coach again.”

Phillips, who has helped the Texans’ defense improve from 30th to second, including 32nd to third against the pass, has made no secret about his desire to become a head coach for the fourth time.

Phillips led Denver, Buffalo and Dallas to the playoffs. He was interim coach at New Orleans and Atlanta. He will turn 65 this year.
The Bucs, who received permission from the Texans to interview Phillips, started 4-2 this season but lost their last 10 games, causing coach Raheem Morris to be fired after three seasons.

They interviewed former Green Bay and Texas A&M head coach Mike Sherman and Tennessee defensive coordinator Jerry Gray last week. ESPN reported Sunday that Tampa Bay will interview former Minnesota head coach Brad Childress on Monday and that Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Marty Schottenheimer might be possible candidates.